No propaganda, just a plea for East Coast help

On Tuesday, I had decided to combine my daily exercise and civic duty by running to my polling place. I ran past the polling place at first, put in about a mile and a half, then ran back to vote. I sprinted past the line of electioneers urging me to consider their last-minute push for their respective candidates as if the door to St. John's East UCC was the finish line of the 200 meter dash of the Olympics.

I got inside and caught my breath as I waited in line for my chance to vote, a right I never have taken for granted. My wait was about 25 minutes but the elderly lady behind me in line kept me entertained and made my wait rather enjoyable.

As I left the polling place after voting, I was handed a paper. Making the assumption it was just another piece of election propaganda, my first instinct was to ignore it and continue my run, but I stopped and took a minute to read the flier. It was not what I expected, but rather a flier informing me of the church's mission relief project to help the victims of Superstorm Sandy, a topic that has weighed heavily on my heart during the past few weeks.

I grew up on the East Coast, in Baltimore, Md., and have many friends and family members who were affected by the horrific storm. Fortunately, all are safe and fairing well compared with so many others in New Jersey and New York who lost everything.

I was glued to the coverage and the photographs that have surfaced during the past weeks, my heart feeling heavy as I saw images of people in front of demolished or burned-out homes, or sifting through floodwaters to get cans of food from grocery stores so they would have something to eat and drink. It is weeks away from Thanksgiving, a holiday that always has been my favorite, where I celebrate with my family from all across the country, being thankful for all the blessing I have.

This year as I celebrate with my family, I know for many people on the East Coast it will be hard to find something to be thankful for. But here is where you and I come in to help give those who have lost so much something to be thankful about. St. John's East UCC is conducting a clothing and supply drive to help victims of the storm. From now until 3 p.m. Nov. 17, the church is collecting clothing for men, women, teens, children and infants; bedding: sheets, blankets, pillows and pillowcases; and baby items: such as diapers, formula, bottles and wipes. All items should be new or gently used and clean. Monetary donations also are accepted to help pay for gas for the delivery, which will depart Nov. 18. Donations can be made 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the church at 7000 Lincoln Ave. (directly across from Plaza Park School). If you cannot get to the church to drop off your donations, call Jerry or Trudy Molt at 476-8088 and they will make arrangements to pick up your donations.

Let's show our neighbors on the East Coast some Midwestern kindness by filling several trucks with lots of supplies and gifts. I know times have been tough for many, but even the smallest amount can make a big difference to someone that may have nothing left but the clothes on their back. Let's pull together as a community to show we haven't forgotten about what has happened weeks ago to these communities up and down the East Coast.